I am not given to spreading rumors or blindly parroting conspiracy theories, so please take this seriously. I'm putting this here because this could become a pretty major emergency in short order. The Orange One's most recent edict authorizes the USAG and other department heads to weaponize state and local law enforcement, as well as finding ways to utilize the military to "fight crime" and "enforce the law". That last part is in direct contravention of the Posse Comitatus Act, which states that the military can not be used for such purposes. This order also directs the AG to remove "impediments" to law enforcement such as releasing local law agencies from consent decrees and other oversight actions intended to rein them in and prevent police brutality and other civil rights violations. I've read more than a few commentators who say that this is an immediate pre-cursor to the wide-spread use of the Insurrection Act, and several who believe that an attempt at martial law will follow on pretty quickly.
In a line from Texas over to Georgia and on up the coast.... we are being bombarded with predictions and warnings for Winter Storm Fern. We are preparing for the Ice storm of the century here. The big issue is... this won't be a quick few days of ice with no power and no travel because the arctic blast with and behind it will keep what falls around and dangerously impact the ability to respond and repair. I remember the bad ice storms of the 60's here in Georgia. We have not had one in a long time... not like 2.5 inches of ice! The damages to the grid will be astronomical. Too many who have not experienced this will not know how to prepare or act. Too many? Do not have the means to secure their, and their families, well being and ability to cope with and survive this bitter cold and loss of power.
I have a total electric home. That being said? I have dealt with the vagaries of erratic Southern storms from tornados to hurricanes to blizzard of the century and ice and snow storms for many years. I was a Boy Scout leader and taught and practiced "survival" techniques.. as well as be prepared.
If I had the funds, like many wish they had, I would have a Generac generator system. Especially in our rural areas the grid goes down frequently even in good weather. I do not. If the ice arrives in the amounts predicted it will be catastrophic.
What I do have? Are propane canisters for an emergency heating source, a Coleman stove, many full canisters of propane, firewood for the fire pit outside if needed. I had the indoor fireplace closed and converted to an electric fireplace..too inefficient for daily living and the chimney was in need of repairs so best to just close off. Power banks for charging phones, Emergency first aid supplies and the emergency mylar blankets/sleeping bags as well as layers of clothing from the silk thermal base layers (a must if you do spelunking - which I did once upon a time) to tees, sweats and alpaca socks , gloves, hat...and a headful of hair which I cover with a balaclava under my knitted hat/stormchaser jacket hood. I have plenty of heat and eat ramen, pho, Campbells soups and water stored enough to last for 7 days (no electric, no well water pumping.) I have ample food stored for the critters...from my dog, 4 cats and wild birds, squirrels,possums and raccoons and deer...thanks to some beloved angels.
When you are old like me and live alone in a rural area you try to stay prepared for handling things because in severe circumstances you just don't know how long it will take for someone to get to you if you need help. I know that I am as ready as I can be and I have enough to help others nearby should they need it.
I am really,really concerned for those who have yet to experience such an event, who do not have the means or knowledge to prepare for something like Winter Storm Fern is going to do to us. My very bones cry out how bad this one is going to be.
I ask everyone to join with me in prayer and surrounding with Light and Love and all available help be given to the people and animals and wildlife in the path of this storm. Prayer with out ceasing and may we all come together to love and help one another through this.
Thank you!
I spoke with my daughter who lives in Austin and went through that HUGE ice storm a few years ago. She is nervous, annoyed (cuz Texas electrical chaos previously) and trying to plan today for it.
May you keep safe, fed, warm and dry!
@lovendures Ha! Maybe we should see if Ted Cruz has tickets for Cancun again!!!!
All jokes aside now this is going to be a rough ride... I am slower than I used to be so started today with all the preps!
We will be praying continuously .. tell your daughter I said hugs and understand her nervousness and that the only thing we can do is prep, prep, prep then hunker down and endure. 🙏🏻🪽❄️🌨️🌧️💨🧊🥶❄️🪽🙏🏻
@journeywithme2 I saw on social media that Ted Cruz was spotted yesterday on a flight to Laguna Beach. Maybe Cruz has a built-in storm-o-meter where he knows how bad it's going to be in advance. If it were a total grid meltdown, we'd have seen him leaving for Bali.
Speaking of the Texas grid, I'm somewhat hopeful that we won't have a repeat of the 2021 storm here. This storm is expected to only last 3 days (at least in Texas). And, since 2021, Texas has added a lot of solar and wind capacity to the grid. The Republicans who run the state don't like to talk about the renewables with their voters, but their donors sure do invest in them.
I hope everyone is staying warm and hunkering down.
I'm doing my best to do so. I told a friend of mine yesterday that I miss the days of my grandmother's wood heater. That bad boy could cook the whole house! Kept you warm for hours, filled all the rooms, and you barely had to turn on the central heat.
My area is due for lots of ice, which I hate, because I do not want to deal with power outages.
Take care and keep warm.
@carmen I had a woodburning stove at my beloved farm house I once had. I too could run you out of the house with it as well as cook/warm some wonderful meals.
I have prepped all I can .. now it's hunker down and endure time.
I pray for all of us in the path of this massive snow and ice storm with arctic temps.
In Light of all the ICE 🧊❄️🥶 both weather and activity of 🧊 in Minnesota that resulted in the execution of a wonderful young (37 year old white male nurse, US born and raised American citizen. ) It's abundantly clear Mother Nature and this current administration has our lives in danger and in peril.
Calling in all angels, Archangel Michael and his Legions to fight for us, protect us from harm. May we all be safe, warm ,dry and fed these trying days ahead.
🙏🏻💜💚🪽❄️🌧️🌨️🧊🥶💨🪽💚💜🙏🏻
How are our community members in the Big Freeze zones doing? My daughter in Austin sent photos this morning of their yard being covered in a mixture of frozen rain drops and snow flakes. This is actually good news as the air was even colder than expected which meant the freezing ice was less and some snow came instead. Better for travel and power lines. Snow in Austin is unusual.
@lovendures so glad your daughter is ok. It's 32 and wet in Houston. I'm a little worried about a niece who lives in NE Texas. She is iced in, and the power has been off since yesterday. She has a generator, but it's out of gas. I'm hoping she can siphon some from her car.
I made it through without losing power yet. The wedge effect came in to play and snow, sleet and freezing rain of this am wash washed away by 11:00am Regular rain came in and washed it all off the trees and yard and steps. The rain stopped at 4pm. it will be in the wee hours before it goes below 32. It shows still being 35 at 11pm. My prayers were answered for the safety of our community here. @lovendures so happy my prayers for your daughter were answered, @unk-p praying for your niece in Houston that she get her needs too stay warm met. I am continuing to pray for the safety and well being of all still dealing with this Winter Storm Fern. My daughter in Maryland near Baltimore is getting hit all day and tonight too.
@journeywithme2 thank you! I was just about to ask about how you were doing in the ice storm.
My niece lives in far north east Texas, but I am in Houston. I am closer to the coast, so its not as bad here. Praying for you and your daughter ❤️